Divisions

SAF has two divisions: Open (amateur) and SAF Pro (professional).

Any woman 18 years of age or older from anywhere in the world can compete in the Open division; no previous competitive experience is required.

The top-3 finishers in every Open competition qualify for SAF Pro status and become eligible to compete in SAF Pro-level events. The only way to attain SAF Pro status is through competing at an SAF event in the Open category and placing in the top 3; we do not accept placings from other organizations.

Open Division: Three Categories

There are three competition categories in the Open division: Fitness Model, Athletic Model, and Bikini Model

Open Fitness Models are judged over two rounds in the following clothing: bikini and fitnesswear/themewear. The bikini must be in good taste – no thong-type bikinis or see-through fabrics are allowed. A good guideline is to consider if the bikini can be shown on primetime TV. If so, it will be fine for the stage; if not, it is probably not suitable for the stage. Please inquire if you are unsure.

The fitnesswear/themewear round allows the competitor to dress up a little more flamboyantly in order to show off their physique as well as their personality. Competitors are free to choose the outfit they wish to wear. As with the bikini round, the costume must be in good taste. Some entrants choose a fitness outfit or costume with a fitness/sports theme, while otherspresent a completely different theme that's not sport-oriented. But in every case, it's important to note that whatever outfit is chosen, the judges will be primarily assessing the physique, not the costume, so the competitor must make sure that their physique is still visible. (However, that doesn't mean the outfit's attractiveness doesn't matter -- there is a special award called Best in Costume where the look of the costume is rewarded.)

Shoes are to be worn for both rounds and there is no stipulation on heel height. Jewellery is fine. If props are used for the fitnesswear/themewear round, the competitor must be able to carry them on and off the stage without assistance.

The placing a Fitness Model competitor receives combines the bikini and fitnesswear/themewear rounds.

General physique judging criteria: SAF judges looks for a overall package that combines a healthy, athletic, attractive, in-shape look that inspiring to other women. Fitness Models should be in shape and toned with good definition -- they must be athletic looking in a way that indicates their look has been arrived at through vigorous exercise. However, Fitness Models should not excessively excessively muscular so that their look is no longer femine, nor should they be so lean and defined that their look is unhealthy. 

Rebecca Cronk, Summer 2022 Open Fitness Model winner

Marnie Emilie, Fall 2019 Open Fitness Model winner

Roxi Izquierdo Yanez, Summer 2019 Open Fitness Model winner

Marika Lafonde, Fall 2018 Open Fitness Model winner

Open Athletic Models are judged in one round wearing a bikini of the competitor's choice. The bikini must be in good taste – no thong-type bikinis and no see-through fabrics are allowed. A good guideline is to consider if the bikini can be shown on primetime TV. If so, it will be fine for the stage; if not, it is probably not suitable for the stage. Please inquire if you are unsure.

Shoes must be worn and there is no stipulation on heel height. Jewellery is fine. No props are allowed as this category focuses exclusively on the appearance of the competitor in a bikini.

Unlike the Fitness Model competition, the Swimsuit/Figure Models have only one round to make an impact on the judges, which can sometimes have an effect on whether the competitor chooses this category or the two-round Fitness Model category since the judging criteria is similar. 

General physique judging criteria: The criteria for this class is identical to Fitness Model. SAF judges looks for a overall package that combines a healthy, athletic, attractive, in-shape look that inspiring to other women. Athletic Swimsuit Models should be in shape and toned with good definition -- they must be athletic looking in a way that indicates their look has been arrived at through vigorous exercise. However, Athletic Swimsuit Models should not excessively excessively muscular so that their look is no longer femine, nor should they be so lean and defined that their look is unhealthy. The difference between this category and Fitness Model is that there only one round. 

Amanda Convery, Summer 2022 Open Athletic Model winner

Carolyn Fox, Fall 2021 Open Athletic Model winner

Joannie Renaud, Fall 2019 Open Athletic Model winner

Open Bikini Models are judged in one round wearing a bikini of the competitor's choice. The bikini must be in good taste – no thong-type bikinis and no see-through fabrics are allowed. A good guideline is to consider if the bikini can be shown on primetime TV. If so, it will be fine for the stage; if not, it is probably not suitable for the stage. Please inquire if you are unsure.

Shoes must be worn and there is no stipulation on heel height. Jewellery is fine. No props are allowed as this category focuses exclusively on the appearance of the competitor in a bikini.

Unlike the Fitness Model competition, but like the Athletic Swimsuit Models, the Bikini Models have only one round to make an impact on the judges. Although this category is similar to Athletic Swismuit Model, the judging criteria for it differs, since it's important to understand the distinction.

General judging criteria: SAF judges looks for a overall package that combines a healthy, athletic, attractive, in-shape look that inspiring to other women. However, unlike Fitness Model and Athletic Swimsuit Model, the judges will place less emphasis on muscle tone and definition for this category (competitors must still be in shape on the stage, mind you), and more emphasis on overall body shape (an hourglass figure is desirable, for example) and overall feminine beauty.

Ashley St. Georges, Fall 2021 Open Bikini Model winner

Taya Small, Fall 2019 Open Bikini Model winner

Janelle Patterson, Summer 2019 Open Bikini Model winner

SAF Pro Division: Two Categories

The SAF Pro competition has two categories: Fitness Model and Bikini Model. Fitness Model in that the competitors have two rounds: one in a bikini and the other in fitnesswear/themewear. Bikini Model has just one rounder, which is in a Bikini. Note that Athletic Model is not in the SAF Pro category, mainly because once competitors earn SAF Pro status in the Open Athletic Model category, it is expected that they will choose to compete in either Bikini Model or Fitness Model.

In SAF Pro, the same standards for the suits, shoes, jewellery and props apply as in Open. The main difference for Pro Fitness Model in this competition compared to Open Fitness Model is that the SAF Pro competitors are scored independently over the two rounds, which increases the chance for a tie and sometimes requires further judging. Pro Bikini Model is still judged over one round. However, another keep aspect of SAF Pro competitions is that competitors are judged on all aspects of their presentation, including including a choreographed presentation round to music, as well as how they conduct themselves onstage while posing and presenting their physiques. The judges don't prioritize the performance aspects in the Open division.

Kathleen Estan, Summer 2022 Pro Bikini Model Challenge winner

Jess Harness, 2019 Pro Bikini Model Champion

Ann Plouffe, 2018 Pro Bikini Model Champion

Evelyne Martin, 2017 SAF Pro Bikini Model Champion

Violaine Pigeon, 2019 Pro Fitness Model Champion

Amelie Levesque, 2018 Pro Fitness Model Champion

Emilie Provencher, 2017 Pro Fitness Model Champion